GlobalGiving.org: Emergency transport for pets in LA County

Expansion of of Pet A Medic Organization

Carolyn Cunningham Ph.D — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:22:24 GMT

Pet a Medic has expanded it's services. We believe that the human-animal bond is an extremely important bond. Research shows that this bond decreases loneliness, gives companionship, helps the immune-system, not to mention it aids sufferers of cancer, mental disorders, blindness, loss of hearing, and victims of trauma. Our goal is to assist animals and their caregivers in any way we can to enhance this bond. Animals are members of our family, and as such need to be treated as such.

We believe that pet grieving is an underserved population. Many animal caregivers, when they lose their beloved animals, grieve deeply and can become depressed or suicidal. We have a nation wide hotline listed on our website so people across the country can speak to a professional grief counselor 24/7. In addition, we offer grief individual sessions and group sessions for those who request it. A young woman who had lost both her father and mother was very bonded to her dog who had glaucoma. The surgery needed for her dog was very costly. She was suicidal. We connected her with our DVM, Dr Howard Brown, who calmed her down, gave her resources that she could afford and offered to help help her in any way he could. The mental health therapist followed up the dog was fine, and the young woman was better.

Another young male had a breakdown at college and suffered paranoia. He was non verbal and wouldn't leave the home. The therapist brought her dog to his home, which was the only way he would talk with her.

We still offer Pet Taxi service by appointment and are publishing a book for children who lose their animals.

Grief Workbook for Children who lose a pet

Carolyn Cunningham Ph.D, and Kristin Annastasia MA — Wed, 15 Jun 2011 19:00:49 GMT

Cover of Book

We are providing Taxi service for those people who cannot transport their dog.
We are providing a national hotline for those people who are grieving the loss of their pet
We are in the process of writing a book for children who lose their pet. It guides children and parents through the process of grieving. The loss of a pet is often the first loss children experience. If handled well, children will be able to handle other losses in a healthy way. We are very excited .

Links:

grief counseling

Pet A Medic Update

Carolyn Cunningham Ph.D — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 22:52:15 GMT

Networking at Christmas witth Santa at VCA Hospita

Happy New Year to everyone- Pet A Medic continues to provide grief counseling to people who lose their pets. Pets are part of our family, and we encourage people to call us toll free 24 hours for phone support, or call us to set up a group or individual counseling session. We don't turn away anyone for lack of ability to pay. We are all professional therapists. We also offer a one time session for children who lost a pet and guides for parents. This is often the first loss for a child, and how it is handled may influence how your child responds to other losses. The twenty four hour number is nationwide.

We now have a Pet Taxi service. If a person has an appointment with a veterinarian and doesn't have a car or has other difficulties feel free to call us. We are a non profit and don't turn away anyone for lack of ability to pay. This particular service is focused in the LA Area.

We continue to provide basic question regarding your pet, and/or a referral if we can't help you.

Links:

www. Pet A Medic.Org

Pet A Medic Update

Dee Dee Williams — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 20:49:00 GMT

We have expanded our pet emergency services to include Grief Counseling and Grief Education for veterinarians, their staff and any person who has lost, or is going to lose their companion animal. We have trained professionals and volunteers who provide grief therapy. We can provide individual and group counseling. In addition, we can provide one on one support support at a veterinarians office for any individual having to euthanize their animals.

We also provide an information hotline, nutrition education, and pet transport. All at no cost to an individual.

Thanks to all of you who have been so generous with your donations to Pet A Medic. Since we're a non-profit organization, we depend on your generosity, so that we can continue to help animals and their caregivers. We wouldn't be able to continue without you. Thank you once again.